The Importance of Water Baptism
I studied baptism in depth for 8 months a couple of decades ago and the Lord showed me something that I believe He wants me to share with you.
Salvation is like a marriage. First, a couple gets engaged. Praying a prayer is like a woman agreeing to marry a man who has asked for her hand in marriage. In Judaism, an engagement is as powerful as the actual wedding. If a couple wishes to break the engagement then they have to go through a divorce-like proceeding. However, the two have not yet become one. At some point, they have the wedding ceremony and then go into the wedding chamber and consummate the vows. Baptism is consummating one’s commitment to be one with Yeshua and the Gift of the Holy Spirit seals that commitment. (Ephesians 1:13)
I agree that the people are not always ready right away to seal the deal, but Yeshua is always ready. In the Book of Acts, it is abundantly clear that those in the early church also were ready. They repented and right away got baptized and received the Gift of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. This is the way Yeshua prefers it, but like a rival suitor trying to stop a wedding, the devil tries to stop people from getting baptized.
Those in the first-century church are our examples. Without regard for their own safety and willing to die for their Lord and Savior, they got baptized immediately upon believing and repenting. Many lost their livelihoods, were arrested, and died for their choice by being fed to the lions. Stephen was stoned to death. All the Apostles except one were martyred.
The Apostle Paul who was named Saul helped in arresting Christians and having them killed until Yeshua met him on the road to Damascus and he was converted. He was beaten and suffered many hardships because he became a follower of Christ.
May we remember the courage and sacrifices of those in the First Century Church and encourage people to get baptized right away. Getting engaged is a good first step, but people must be encouraged to consummate the union and become full Kingdom citizens through water baptism as soon as possible. Yeshua wants to be our King, Lord, Savior, Husband, and Friend. He is faithful and has provided everything we need for life and Godliness in the Kingdom. (2 Peter 1:3)
Yeshua came preaching “repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”. (Matthew 4:17) This is the Good News of the Gospel: that we can be Kingdom Citizens in relationship with our Creator and fulfill our original mandate lost to satan in the Garden. Yeshua has paid the price to put us back in relationship with our Creator. When we have that relationship, we once again have dominion over the Earth. Yeshua showed us by example what that looks like. He trained the Apostles to do the same and commanded them to raise the dead, heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils and do all that He commanded them making disciples of all nations baptizing them in His name. He then promised to be with them even to the end of the age. (Matthew 10:8, Matthew 28:19-20)
How do we become Kingdom Citizens and have a relationship with our Creator? Repent and be baptized in the name of Yeshua (Jesus) and receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)
After we become Kingdom Citizens what must we do? Heal the sick, cast out demons, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, baptize people, and make disciples teaching them to do what Yeshua did. It means being about the Father’s business of colonizing Earth with Kingdom Citizens. It means destroying all the works of the enemy and having dominion on the Earth over the birds of the air, fish of the sea, animals, plants, and weather. It does not mean lording it over people or looking for an escape plan to Heaven, but rather bringing Heaven to Earth as our Lord Yeshua taught us to pray, “Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.” Now I don’t know about you, but while going to Heaven is awesome (I have been there, I know) Heaven on Earth sounds like a good thing, too. And it starts with Acts 2:38.
Shalom until next time